H.Res. 900

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. But more importantly, I want to thank him for his service to this country.

After ignoring the China threat for years, House Democrats finally introduced a bill that is allegedly tough on China. They call it the America COMPETES Act.

But make no mistake: It is a bill that concedes to China. The America concedes act is Democrats' desperate answer to their stream of self- created crises.

While it contains some provisions supported by Republicans, Speaker Pelosi is holding these good ideas hostage by using this 3,000-page bill as a vehicle for the party's far-left agenda.

Almost every page of the Democrats' concedes act has a provision that helps China but hurts America.

Now, I know 3,000 pages is a lot to read, and my friends may not always get the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to read it before they vote on it. So I want to take an opportunity here to actually give you some of the pages and what it actually does.

Now, here are just a few excerpts. On page 1689, it provides a new, unlimited green card program for the Chinese Communist Party to exploit.

It also allows research funds to freely flow to colleges and universities that host Confucius Institutes which are essentially CCP propaganda centers. They literally censor our colleges and campuses.

These policies would make our Nation more vulnerable to Chinese espionage. In fact, the threat of Chinese spying in America is so widespread that the FBI has 2,000 active cases. Think about that. There are 2,000, almost as many pages as this bill is. They open a new case every 12 hours. So as we debate this bill for the next few days, there will be six new cases opened.

I wonder what they would do. How far would the Chinese spy? I have watched a lot of Hollywood movies. I don't know. Could you imagine? Would they go as far and as deep to even meet somebody and spy on them when they are on the city council?

Would they develop a friendship through a college like we see here with Confucius? Maybe they would even help if the city council person wanted to run for Congress. Maybe they would go as far as, if this person runs for Congress and they had developed this long relationship from meeting in college, to offer to put people in their office, to help them work in that office, the interns. It would be good.

Could they go as far as this person that got elected to Congress may be just in their second term to get on one of the most influential committees, the Committee on Intelligence? Could they go that far? With the FBI opening up cases every 12 hours, if this person got on the Committee on Intelligence, they would probably warn leadership here about that, I would imagine, because they wouldn't know. If leadership was warned about it, instantly that Member probably would not be on a committee where they could hear secrets that Members here don't get to know. Surely that person would not still be on that committee. I don't know if this is Hollywood or not.

Mr. Speaker, what if that Member even wanted to run for President after that? That would be shocking to me. It is probably too Hollywood. It couldn't be true. It couldn't happen in today's world. I don't know. The FBI has 2,000 active cases, and they open a new one every 12 hours.

So what are you doing to stop that? Oh, we are going to help them. We are going to give them more money. We are going to give them a green card program. I am sure, when the FBI warns of the next, maybe that person could even become a subcommittee chair on the Committee on Intelligence. That couldn't happen in America. I just know with new leadership it won't be allowed.

On page 995, it requests a toothless report from the Biden administration on the origins of COVID. Instead of taking action to get real accountability, it is going to ask for a report. Now this leadership could open a lot of select committees. They do that quite often. Why don't we have a select committee on the origins of COVID?

I know we are going to debate this bill for a couple of days. Today, I just got a notice we were going to have a memorial this week on the steps of the Capitol like we had before, because 900,000 Americans have now died because of COVID. That got postponed. I don't know if you know why it was postponed. Was it postponed because we were debating this bill and we didn't want to put them together at the same time? I am not sure of that. I don't know. It is a question I would wonder.

Mr. Speaker, the bigger question I would wonder is, instead of just sitting out there and giving a moment of silence, why wouldn't we give them more time to explain why those 900,000 in America died, let alone the millions around the world where it originated from? Don't you think that would be a better use of our time? I know with the new leadership we will have that committee.

On page 1396, it directs the American military to train to combat climate change. How does that compete? I always thought the American military would be trained to defend America, to protect America. But lo and behold this Congress on page 1396 is going to direct the American military to train to combat climate change. If the leadership in this Congress was different, I know that would not be in there.

On page 1645, this is very important for competing. It creates a Coral Reef Task Force because, you know, a Coral Reef Task Force, somebody can cut himself, but 900,000 Americans can die of COVID, but you can't have a task force on that to know where it originated from. If anybody gets hurt from a coral reef, we have got the task force right here in this building. That is going to make America compete like no other country can.

On page 227, it creates a new Federal program to study plumbing. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you we don't need any new program to study plumbing. If anybody here wants to study plumbing, I know Markwayne Mullin will give you a class day in and day out. Nobody is finer. He has proven it. This is going to make America compete?

Mr. Speaker, 900,000 Americans can die, but you are not going to do anything about understanding where the origin was created. We are getting spied on every single day, all the way down to city council, but we are not doing anything there. We are actually going to fund it and let them do more. When it comes to coral reefs and plumbing, we are going to excel.

On page 1392, it gives $8 billion. Can you imagine $8 billion? How do we get $8 billion? We take it from the taxpayer. How does the taxpayer get $8 billion? They wake up in the morning. They work. They are paying more for gas. They are paying more for their milk, for their eggs, for their breakfast. They are paying more for the masks they have got to put on their kids, if the schools are even open. They earn less because inflation hits them every day, but what we are going to do is take more of their money.

Mr. Speaker, $8 billion, what would this Congress invest in? Well, they are going to give it to the unaccountable U.N. Green Climate Fund.

Now what have they done with this fund? Where does this money go? If it is really worthy, I am sure the American taxpayer would offer $8 billion more for this Congress to decide where they should be able to send that so their kids can't enjoy maybe a day at Disneyland or somewhere else or simply to be able to pay their electricity bill that continues to rise.

Well, the U.N. is very, very accountable for this. They have already funneled $100 million to China. So how does the America COMPETES Act do anything to China but provide them more money? Whose money are they provided? You are taking it from the hardworking American taxpayer to give to China through the U.N. Maybe they can buy more solar panels and batteries made by the slave labor in China but paid for by the American taxpayer. I don't think that does much to help us to compete.

Now, Republicans have offered amendments to prevent China from using that money. Wouldn't it seem like it would be an easy vote? I think it would be hands down. I would really be interested in knowing who in this body has constituents that have raised their hand and said they will give $8 billion of their hard-earned taxpayer money so we can send it to the U.N. for the Green Climate Fund that has given China $100 million. I would like to know that district.

We offered the amendment to stop it. Do you know what is so interesting? There has to be at least 218 districts that want to do that because it failed. The Democrats said no. They are in the majority. So it had to be your districts. I am not sure if any of you have taken a poll on that. Maybe I am wrong.

Mr. Speaker, all of these far-left policies would make America more vulnerable. We might be stronger in the coral reef, but in everything else we are going to be more vulnerable when it comes to China.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats have spent this debate defending none of them. Earlier this week the Biden White House never mentioned the word China in a letter to the House Democrats, urging them to support the America COMPETES Act.

How is that possible, Mr. Speaker? This is the White House with an administration that has worked closely with this Democrat leadership. This bill is all based upon competes, making us stronger against China. The only thing I could think of is the White House must have read the bill, because there is nothing in there that actually makes

us stronger against China, only weaker. So I guess they didn't want to mention it.

Now Democrats seem to be pivoting to talking about the economy. You should be so proud of what you have done to the economy because you have changed it. You have changed it drastically. It looks worse today than it did 1 year ago. We have just passed the 1-year anniversary of one-party rule. I am not sure you can blame other people for it. You can show what you accomplished. Some have even said that this $320 billion will help reduce inflation. That is deja vu all over again.

Mr. Speaker, we were on this floor and lo and behold it became a moment in time where no longer did we want to do anything bipartisan when it came to COVID because now you had the Senate. You had the White House. So I guess you think you didn't need to do that. So you came up with this great idea to spend almost $2 trillion. You know what? I can't blame you because it is kind of similar to this bill. Title it COVID but only spent 9 percent on it. Spend $2 trillion. We come to the floor, and we debate.

Mr. Speaker, we actually warned you. There were moments in time I thought, should we warn you or should we not? But I care too much about the country. It is too much pain. If you make this bill go through and you spend $2 trillion, you are going to create inflation, a tax on every single American. Oh, no, no, no, you said. Lo and behold, a year later, we were right again.

Don't make the same mistake twice. Don't bring a bill where even the President won't mention China. And don't lie to the American public that it's going to make us stronger. If you are talking about the coral reef bill, go right ahead.

It is not a surprise that Democrats want to change the subject. Unfortunately, China is not waiting around for us to act. The real threats we face should remind all of us about the importance of leading by example and putting America first. That starts with taking the threat of China seriously.

Mr. Speaker, I believe personally the two greatest threats to the future of this country are the size of our debt and China. No matter what you study in history, every great society that overextends themselves collapses.

We have $30 trillion in debt, larger than our economy. You are here, wanting to take more money to give to the U.N. to give to China. You want to take more money to study plumbing. We all know water goes downhill. You want to take more money to study the coral reef. You want to tell the American public that we are going to be better, that we are going to be able to compete.

Mr. Speaker, I don't sit here just to criticize. I tried to work, to do it together, to make it better. House Republicans have tried to work with Democrats on important issues. Three years ago, I remember traveling to the 75th anniversary of Normandy. It is an unbelievable location. I remember a lot of the Members went together. I went with Speaker Pelosi.

I remember walking through the cemetery. You look at those headstones from the Star of David to the cross. All the names were young men who died, all about the same age and close in proximity. All died in about the same timeframe. As you reflect on their life, you begin to reflect on the position that we currently serve.

What action could have been done that that day never had to take place? It wouldn't be a week before or a month before; it would be years before. What position, what policy could we have done then as a country that D-day didn't have to take place?

In doing so, as I ponder this, as we were sitting on foreign soil and we were watching as Americans gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives--with the Speaker and others--and knowing what I think about our debt and China, I asked the Speaker, could we create a committee, a select committee--make it an equal number of Republicans and Democrats so politics is out of it--to focus on not only making America compete, but compete against China, from our critical minerals, from our medical supplies, and others; that we could have a real plan that could come out united as one.

Now, I didn't give up. I worked on it for like 8 months. I talked to the majority leader, Steny Hoyer. I will tell you, we finally came to agreement, and the answer was yes. I was so excited.

We worked on who would we appoint. We wanted to make it right. We worked hard on it. We even came back, when the Democrats said it had to be a smaller committee, I said, ``Okay, I will make it smaller just so we can do it.''

In February 2020, a joint release was ready to go out. This is how far we came. I don't know if you know the reporter Josh Rogin with the Washington Post? We even brought him in to interview the Members of Congress who were going to be appointed to this committee so we could have a story about it. That is how close we were.

But just as that press release was ready to hit the button to go at the time, on 2-24, Chairman Engel's staff said some small things needed to be changed.

March 18, the early days of China coronavirus outbreak, and the cover-up came out. A study published in March indicated that if Chinese authorities had acted 3 weeks earlier than they did, the number of cases could have been reduced by 95 percent. I am sure that committee could have found a lot of that.

On May 7, 2020, The Washington Post wrote, ``GOP to Launch China Task Force,'' because I wanted the Democrats to stay with us. We had the reports; we had the names; we had everything; but they said no. They said no. Three years ago they said no.

This select committee was not going to study the coral reef, was not going to study plumbing, was simply going to focus on how does America compete for the future, what do we need to compete against China. That is all we were going to do. We were not going to take $8 billion and give it to the U.N. to give to China. We weren't going to do any of that.

So we went ahead without you. That was May 7. One week later, Mr. Speaker, on May 14, the Speaker of this House, Nancy Pelosi, said: ``Trump's focus on China is an interesting diversion.'' An interesting diversion. Think about where we are today and if we had acted back then.

Today, Mr. Speaker, Speaker Pelosi says the only thing is the GOP may not want the President to have a victory, which is a sad statement on their part because this is really a jobs issue and a national security issue. Well, I am not sure, because in reading the bill, if it is a jobs issue, I guess she takes that from the plumbing study. A national security issue, I guess making our military trained against climate change. But why couldn't we have done that 3 years ago, to have a real committee?

Three years ago the bipartisan talks for the China Task Force, it did take me a year, but unfortunately Speaker Pelosi walked away. Luckily for America, the House Republicans started the task force anyway.

We quickly delivered hundreds of specific recommendations that addressed every part of the China threat. There wasn't one bill on plumbing or one bill on the coral reef.

In October of 2020 our China Task Force released something no Congress in history has done before, a comprehensive blueprint to guide our response to China. I am proud that it is the most thorough report on China in the history of Congress. I am proud that it is bold, achievable, and realistic. It identifies the threat of Communist China. It doesn't reward them with money.

Two-thirds of those recommendations are bipartisan, and one-third have already passed the House or the Senate. And we did not stop there.

On the issue of COVID, perhaps the greatest offense China has committed, House Republicans offered eight reasonable solutions to achieve justice for Americans and to hold China accountable, including relocating the Olympics from Beijing.

Mr. Speaker, those opening ceremonies are going to be quite interesting. President Xi and President Putin are probably going to be arm in arm. I don't know, we might be arm in arm, I don't know the exact day we are going to go out to pay tribute to the 900,000 Americans who died from COVID. More in the last year than the year before.

No select committee here to study the origins of it. Wouldn't you want to know? None of those families can sue the people who created it. That was one of the recommendations. I kind of think that would be common sense. I kind of think we both could get to the same place.

Meanwhile, House Democrats picked this week of all weeks to finally put a weak bill that requests moving the Games. Yeah, if you wait to that very last day, I bet you could do it then, 2 days before they begin. Frankly, it is too little and too late. I bet you China laughs just like they laugh at this bill.

The actions of the majority tell you all you need to know about who they truly want to help--themselves, their corporate allies, and the Chinese Communist Party.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what the Communist Party has on the majority party here, but it must be powerful. It must be powerful. To be that close to have a select committee, to have the reporter who already had written the story to get pulled away, to have 900,000 American lives taken, and you move the date.

I don't know why, but could it be this bill at this time? There is nothing in this bill to study the origins; there is nothing in this bill to give those families the right to be compensated for the life they lost. But there is money in here for China. There is money in here to give more green cards. There is money in here where the institutes could be continued.

Mr. Speaker, I implore my colleagues to take some time and think deeply about what our country stands for. It certainly isn't this political stunt by the majority.

Mr. Speaker, I will never question somebody's patriotism. The only thing I ask is if you were there on the 75th anniversary of Normandy, and you walked through, and you read those names, and you ever wondered what could have been done beforehand, I think you would know this is not the right path. I would hope you would have the political courage to say so, and I would hope you would have the will to vote ``no,'' not because your political life depends on it, but because America's future depends on it.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 900 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Madam Speaker, in a moment I will ask to amend the rule to make a technical correction regarding en bloc debate time.

Amendment Offered By Ms. Ross

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the pending resolution with an amendment that I have placed at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 900, providing for the consideration of three measures: H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, makes in order six amendments, provides en bloc authority to Chairman Meeks, and provides one motion to recommit.

The rule further provides for consideration of H.R. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, under a structured rule. This rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. It makes in order one amendment, and provides for one motion to recommit. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, makes in order 261 amendments, provides en bloc authority to Chairwoman Johnson, and provides one motion to recommit.

Finally, the rule provides recess instructions, suspension authority, and same day authority through April 1, 2022, and provides that requested roll call votes on suspension bills considered on February 1, 2022, may be postponed through March 3, 2022.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the three bills we will consider under this rule: H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act; H.R. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act; and H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act.

H.R. 4521 will make historic investments to advance the production of American-made semiconductors, tackle supply chain vulnerabilities, and turbocharge America's scientific research and technological leadership.

Our Nation has long been a global leader in science and technology, propelled by companies and universities like the ones in my district that perform cutting-edge research every single day.

Maintaining this position requires significant investment and cooperation across the government and private sector.

This bill will increase funding for the National Science Foundation. It will support the work of the Department of Energy's Office of Science in fighting climate change. It will empower the next generation of STEM teachers, researchers, and scientists of all backgrounds.

Our legislation will also establish a new office at the Department of Commerce charged with leading a government-wide effort to strengthen supply chains, invest $52 billion to support American semiconductor manufacturing, and bolster our domestic solar manufacturing capacity.

In addition, H.R. 4521 will reaffirm American leadership abroad by reasserting our commitment to protect human rights and strengthen international trade laws to protect American workers and businesses from unfair trade practices.

I am proud to have led a number of bipartisan bills included in this legislation that will fund research activities, facilitate public- private partnerships to grow clean energy technologies, and mandate the development of a national science and technology strategy.

At a time when America faces unprecedented international competition, H.R. 4521 will reinforce our Nation's global leadership in science, technology, and innovation. I am thrilled we are bringing it to the House floor.

Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 4445. Too often in our country today businesses use mandatory arbitration clauses to cover up sexual assault and harassment in the workplace.

Forced arbitration has a chilling effect on the ability of survivors to speak out, allowing businesses to take legal action against employees simply for seeking justice that was not provided during the arbitration process.

Last year, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from women in a variety of disciplines who have faced persistent harassment and abuse at their jobs. These women bravely recounted both the appalling behavior they experienced and how forced arbitration kept them from speaking out about their experiences and aiding others.

I am grateful to these women for their courage in shining a light on this abuse. Unfortunately, countless other women in our country are still silenced by mandatory arbitration.

When mandatory arbitration processes are used to preserve the reputations of companies, rather than to provide due process to employees facing mistreatment, Congress has a duty to step in. I am glad we are doing that by taking up this bill today.

Finally, I rise in support of H.R. 3485. Today, 68 countries, more than one-third of the United Nation member states, still criminalize same-sex relations. In nine countries, same-sex relations are punishable by death. That is a human rights violation.

In the United States, freedom is the foundation of our democracy, and the liberty to love whomever we choose without concern for retaliation or violence is safeguarded by our Constitution.

Denying the right of entry to foreign nationals who violate the human rights of LGBTQ people sends a clear message that hate has no home in the United States.

It is time to pass all three of these bills.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle), a distinguished member of the Rules Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), who is another distinguished member of the Rules Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Bustos).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Madam Speaker, I do have a few more minutes to share some information about the America COMPETES Act. Then I would be prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In addition to having the privilege of serving on the Rules Committee, I also serve on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which, as a freshman, I can tell you is probably the most bipartisan place in this entire Congress. It is also a privilege to represent the science and technology area of this country in the Research Triangle Park.

I must share information about the work that the Science Committee has done on this bill. The Science Committee bills included in the America COMPETES Act are strongly bipartisan. Every one of these bills either passed the House floor under suspension or passed through the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology favorably.

The House is ushering in a bold and prosperous future for American science and innovation with a suite of bills, including the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act.

The Science Committee provisions included in the America COMPETES Act were built from the ground up with rigorous deliberation and input from the scientific community, industry, and other stakeholders on what they needed most to succeed in the 21st century. These provisions will ensure that the United States is well equipped to compete globally in science and innovation. These provisions will help build a strong and diverse STEM workforce ready to address our greatest scientific and societal challenges.

Our future prosperity depends on what we do now to nurture the STEM talent in our country. From clean energy technologies to emissions measurement, with the bold funding for science and innovation included in these provisions, we will be able to address a climate crisis head- on. These provisions will strengthen American manufacturing, bolster our national security, and enhance our semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

The United States has long been a beacon of excellence in science and innovation. We must invest in our Nation's future, and now is the time. The United States has endless potential to compete globally in science and innovation. The America COMPETES Act provides the critical resources and tools we need to achieve that, not just today but for the next generation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to add to the comments that I made about the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Our chair, Eddie Bernice Johnson, will be retiring at the end of this session. The contributions that she has made to this Congress and to the State of Texas have been extraordinary.

I have an ``amen'' from our colleague from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

The gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson) has been a model of civility and bipartisanship on that committee. This bill, the America COMPETES Act, will just be a crown jewel in her legacy.

Madam Speaker, now is the time for Congress to take comprehensive action to strengthen our supply chain, support American manufacturing, and invest in innovation and scientific research. H.R. 4521 will accomplish these goals, bolster American semiconductor manufacturing, advance clean energy technology, and reaffirm our leadership on the global stage. Our workers, businesses, research institutions, and constituents are depending on us to pass the America COMPETES Act.

Madam Speaker, we also must pass H.R. 4445. As long as forced arbitration remains an option, businesses will be able to abuse this mechanism to put profits over people and silence survivors of sexual assault and harassment.

Our laws should end practices that enable the abuse of working women. Ending mandatory arbitration for sexual harassment and assault is a just way to put an end to one of these practices.

Finally, we must pass H.R. 3485. Our support of LGBTQ rights must not stop at our border. The global LGBTQ community deserves the full support of American diplomacy.

The Global Respect Act enshrines our commitment to equality in our foreign policy, and I am proud to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution, as amended.

Madam Speaker, this is reminiscent of more than a decade and a half ago, but it means that it is long overdue for us to now start anew with the America COMPETES Act, H.R. 4521.

Let me, first of all, say that in the passage of legislation, isn't it exciting that we have a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will match very nicely along with the America COMPETES Act and, as well, we will pass the Build Back Better Act, that has a sizeable proportion of broadband and many other aspects dealing with climate.

So I rise today to support H.R. 4521 for a number of reasons, but I will put in the forefront the idea that it will promote around the world America's values of justice and competitiveness, equality and, yes, human rights. And all the nations that pretend to be competitive, but yet do not have the aspect of compassion and laws that the United States has will be in the back seat, and we will be in the front seat.

Let me, first of all, say that we are bringing relief to all the folks that are trying to get their automobiles; $45 billion in the American fund for chips that will incentivize private sector investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor fabrication, and will address simply the supply chain disruption, and ensure that more semiconductors are produced here at home.

There are also jobs for my inner-city young people, my rural young people.

I was at TRRX in the city of Houston, and we were looking at--a truck driver talked to me and said, I stopped driving trucks. I had health issues, and I am now dealing with technology training that they are giving in at-risk communities.

Strengthening the supply chain with $45 billion to improve the Nation's supply chain and national security by preventing the shortages of critical goods and ensuring that more of these goods are made right.

And advancing what is very important to me, having served on the Science Committee, NASA is in my backyard, the Johnson Space Center, and I am excited about what we have been able to do over the decades. But

now we will be able to focus on scientific research, technology and innovation and excellence. That creates jobs.

Madam Speaker, I rise with enthusiasm to support H.R. 4521. Let's compete. Let's show our values. Let's train, and let's make money. Make it in America.

Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House and the Committee on Homeland Security, and as Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I rise in strong support of the Rule governing debate of Rules Committee Print 117-31 and H.R. 4521, the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength or ``America COMPETES Act of 2022,'' as well as the underlying legislation.

I also support the Rule as it pertains to H.R. 3485--Global Respect Act H.R. 4445--Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, both of which I strongly support on the merits.

Madam Speaker, the America COMPETES Act of 2022 is a bold legislative package that makes transformational new investments in research, innovation and American manufacturing that will ensure that America can outcompete any nation in the world, now and for decades to come.

The package will accelerate production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen the supply chain to make more goods in America, turbocharge our research capacity to lead the technologies of the future, and advance our global competitiveness, while supporting strong labor standards and human rights, among other key provisions.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 is a bold, comprehensive package to strengthen America's competitiveness, which includes the ``Creating the CHIPS for America Fund,'' providing $52 billion to incentivize private- sector investments and continue American leadership in semiconductor fabrication, helping address supply chain disruptions and ensure that more semiconductors are produced here at home.

The legislation strengthening the supply chain and American manufacturing by authorizing $45 billion to improve our nation's supply chains and strengthen our economy and national security by preventing shortages of critical goods and ensuring that more of these goods are made right here in the United States.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 advances American scientific research, technology, and innovation excellence by making major new solutions-driven investments in every aspect of innovation and scientific research, making the kind of investments that will lead to breakthrough discoveries.

I am particularly pleased that the America COMPETES Act will help maintain and secure America's global competitiveness and leadership through economic development diplomacy, human rights, and partnering with allies by including numerous provisions to strengthen and promote America's leadership around the globe, including in such areas as investing in partnerships and alliances, investing in standing up for America's values, expanding our investments in diplomacy, and promoting human rights.

Madam Speaker, the United States has long been a beacon of excellence in science and technology in the world.

I have worked hard on the COMPETES Act over time to make sure that this legislation includes provisions that stimulates government reinvestment in the private sector; and reimagination of the Federal government's approach to innovation that ignites and excites new ideas that ensure that the United States remains the leader in innovation globally.

The need to reinvest in and reimagine our approach to science and innovation has become a national imperative so I am very pleased that the legislation before us retains provisions I sponsored that were included when the America COMPETES Act was previously passed.

One of those provisions, which is incorporated in RCP 117-31 addresses the STEM education gap for K-12 students by creating State and regional workshops to train K-12 teachers in project-based science and technology learning, allowing them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM competition team development programs.

Another provision included in the legislation requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of ``Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics'' (STEM) industry internship program recipients.

Facilitating links between institutes of higher education and the private sector is vital to ensuring that education enables a skilled and relevant workforce.

Such links are especially important for minorities and under-served communities because these students often lack alternative avenues to connect their education with an industry.

Internship experience is an increasingly vital component of a successful resume, yet the unpaid nature of internships is cost- prohibitive for many people.

Mandating that the National Science Foundation report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of STEM program recipients will help ensure that minorities and economically-disadvantaged students have adequate access to internships that bridge STEM academia and industry.

I am hopeful this data will provide evidence of robust participation by minority and economically-disadvantaged students; however, if such students are not fully participating, these reporting requirements will provide Congress with the data it needs to facilitate broader participation.

Now is the time to recommit to boldly and strategically investing in our nation's future--to promote America's economic strength, the well- being of our communities, our national security and our leadership in the world. This transformative legislation will ensure that America can out-compete any nation, for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, I also support the provisions of the rule governing debate of H.R. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that empowers survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment by giving them a choice to go to court instead of being forced into arbitration.

This legislation would amend the Federal Arbitration Act for disputes involving sexual assault and sexual harassment in order to stop employers and businesses from forcing employees and customers out of the court system and into arbitration.

It would ensure that predispute arbitration clauses and waivers of the right to bring joint actions in cases of sexual assault or sexual harassment would not be valid or enforceable for cases that are filed under Federal, Tribal, or State law.

Under current law, many employment and other contracts require binding arbitration for a wide range of matters before a dispute arises, which denies survivors the ability to decide whether to pursue their claim with the procedural protections provided by courts, and silences victims of abuse by forcing them into a confidential dispute forum without the right to appeal.

More than 60 million Americans are subject to mandatory arbitration clauses in the workplace, often without realizing it until they come forward to bring a claim against their employer.

The Report of the Co-Chairs of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace notes that between 50-75 percent of women have faced some form of unwanted or unwelcome sexual harassment in the workplace.

Additionally, contracts for services may include mandatory arbitration clauses in the fine print that shield companies and businesses from being held publicly accountable for the harm caused.

I support this necessary legislation because it advances efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault, strengthen rights, protect victims, and promote access to justice.

Finally, I strongly support H.R. 3485 the Global Respect Act, which would mandate the listing of, and visa restrictions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons.

In the face of rising violence targeting LGBTQI+ persons around the world, the Administration recognizes that LGBTQI+ persons face serious and unique threats to their safety due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

While many countries have made tremendous strides in embracing equality for LGBTQI+ community members, other countries remain stagnant or, worse, are undertaking steps to further marginalize or harm LGBTQI+ community members.

That is why I support H.R. 3485, a bi-partisan bill, which requires the Administration to provide Congress with a list of foreign individuals found responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI+ persons abroad, and equally important, mandates that individuals included on this list are ineligible for visas to, or entry into, the United States.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and urge all Members to join me in voting for the rule governing debate of RCP 117- 31, the America COMPETES Act of 2022, H.R. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, and H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her recognition. I want to recognize her as a great leader on the matter before us today. This legislation, the America COMPETES Act, is something that has come to the floor largely because of the investments that she has made over the years in science and technology, keeping America competitive, and now as the chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I thank her for the intellect that she has brought to this and the reputation that she has enjoyed in the scientific and academic community in support of her legislative initiatives, this bill being a highlight of it all.

Madam Speaker, America has long been a beacon of excellence in science and engineering in the world, forging innovations that have been transformative for workers, businesses, and for our economy. By investing in education and research, we were preeminent. We have been preeminent in the world's arena. A number of years ago, maybe 20, maybe longer, other countries followed our blueprint. They followed our lead. They invested in education and recognized the value of investment in research and new technologies. Now they threaten our position as the world leader in science and innovation. We have been seeing that over time.

The technology that we rely on each day and those that will take us into the future must be made here in America or else we will be at the mercy of those other countries, driving up costs for American families and eroding our global competitiveness.

Madam Speaker, this situation is a challenge to the economic security of our country, the financial security of our families, and the national security of our Nation. It must be met head-on with bold, strategic action that seizes the opportunity for progress. Today the House is seizing that opportunity in passing legislation that meets the moment by securing the preeminence of American manufacturing, innovation, and economic strength with the America COMPETES Act.

To be preeminent in technology and innovation is essential so that America becomes self-sufficient in the manufacture of critical goods.

The America COMPETES Act will do this, and transport our Nation into the future, by: First, supercharging our investment in CHIPS for America Act. Semiconductors are a key component to everything from computers to cars to your personal phone, Madam Speaker. Cars contain hundreds of chips; electric cars, thousands. Chips are the lifeblood of modern technology.

Over the past 30 years, America's global share of manufacturing semiconductors has been outpaced by other

countries, leaving us dependent on those countries and vulnerable to their supply chain issues, which drive up costs at home, for Americans.

The America COMPETES Act directs $52 billion for the CHIPS for America Act. That is contained in this bill. It will address supply chain disruptions that push up costs for families, bring back chips production to America, and ensure that the United States leads the way on semiconductor fabrication.

Madam Speaker, specifically, the bill provides financial assistance to incentivize investment in facilities and equipment for semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, and research development. This is very specific and very well thought out.

Secondly, the America COMPETES Act advances manufacturing at home in our country and strengthens our supply chains. The pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of global supply chains that rely on other countries. We need to be making goods in America with American workers. The America COMPETES Act authorizes $45 billion to support the manufacture and acquisition of critical goods or industrial equipment that are essential for national security and economic vitality including components and products for public health in biological preparedness. This is very important.

Madam Speaker, information and communications technology, energy and transportation sector's industrial base, and agriculture and food product supply chains, that affects everyone in our country.

The America COMPETES Act reduces our reliance on critical goods from countries of concern and encourages the relocation of manufacturing facilities out of those countries. It supports the creation of jobs with competitive wages including by preserving existing collective bargaining agreements and supporting union organizing efforts.

I will remind you that one and two were about supercharging our investment in chips and advancing manufacturing at home and strengthening the supply chains.

Three, the America COMPETES Act advances America's scientific research and innovation excellence to ensure that we lead the technologies of the future. It includes a suite of bipartisan science, research, and technology bills to turbocharge American innovation focused squarely on producing solutions and results. I reiterate, a suite of bills that have been bipartisan in committee and on the floor of the House.

It maximizes the American talent pool by strengthening and diversifying our Nation's STEM workforce. This is very important because we want many more people, women, people of color, other previously underrepresented communities to be part of this.

And, fourth, the America COMPETES Act promotes U.S. global leadership, ensuring that the 21st century is the American century, positioning the interests and values of the United States to win on the world stage. And there are competitors for that honor.

Central to the America COMPETES Act is the strong action taken to hold the PRC accountable for its trade abuses, which hurt U.S. workers, and for its human rights violations, including the genocide against the Uyghurs. People have to understand the connection between human rights violations and fairness to American workers. Actually, what is happening in China with the Uyghurs is beyond human rights; it is genocide to the nth degree.

This use of forced labor which they are doing with the Uyghurs is immoral and horrific, yes, and it hurts U.S. workers who have to compete with slave labor. So understand human rights there and fairness to our workers here are connected.

The House bill reflects a rigorous, comprehensive process of listening to the experts and crafting legislation that will truly rise to this challenge, and I thank Madam Chair for doing that. Eleven committees have fed into this legislation, so I know we have heard from many of the chairs in the debate today, and we will hear from many more Members as we go into the amendment process. But I want to congratulate you, Madam Chair.

Well over 100 research and scientific institutions have already endorsed this bill or its key components, from:

Academic institutions: Including the Association of American Universities and dozens of top research universities, including the Ivy League schools and leading public institutions, including the University of California system.

Leading scientific groups: Such as American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Nuclear Society, American Mathematical Society, and American Society for Engineering Education.

Top innovation firms and business groups: The Chamber of Commerce, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and companies like Intel who invest in these chips.

Groups representing American workers--and this is very important.

Groups representing American workers, led by the AFL-CIO, and I mentioned the Teamsters, who write, ``On behalf of America's supply chain union,'' they call themselves, ``I applaud the House Democratic leadership for moving forward with their own legislation that addresses the crucial issue of competing with China in a way that benefits U.S. working families for many years to come.'' Their statement continues, ``I agree with President Biden that America COMPETES Act will bring manufacturing jobs back home to this country and make America's supply chains more resilient.''

The America COMPETES Act is built on bipartisan bills, many of which have already passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan margins, my colleagues, overwhelming bipartisan margins. And that includes the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act, Rural STEM Education Act, Open RAN Outreach Act, FUTURE Networks Act, Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, and many more.

In closing, I just want to say the America COMPETES Act recognizes and meets the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring that America cannot just compete but must win the global landscape. As I said in the beginning, we were in the lead. We set a good example for the world. Others followed our lead and became competitive with us.

A vote for this bill would be a vote for making more American goods here in America with American workers. A vote for this bill would strengthen our supply chains and lower costs for families. It would bring forceful action to ensure that America, not the People's Republic of China, but America writes the rules of the road for the 21st century.

Madam Speaker, I urge a strong bipartisan vote for the America COMPETES Act and for ensuring the global preeminence of America's manufacturing for American workers and the American economy and our security now and for years to come.

Again, congratulations to Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and other chairs who worked so hard to bring this very important legislation to the floor and to the fore.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I think it is important to say how great it is to have an opportunity to create jobs and promote human rights at the same time, while respecting our fellow Americans, Asian Pacific Americans.

I think it is important that we make that statement, that as we promote this very important legislation, Asian Pacific Islanders and others will also have the respect of this Nation because we do believe in human rights.

But I want to pause for a moment to be able to thank my friend, my colleague, the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, for sticking to her higher values, her commitment to science for more than two decades, going on three decades.

As I watched her on the Science Committee, first as a member myself, and then as she proceeded to take the leadership reins, look where we are today, with an outstanding America COMPETES Act that builds on previous legislation, brings together 11 jurisdictional committees, and comes out on the side of creating jobs. We owe her a great debt of gratitude, and I am grateful to call her a Member of the United

States Congress, but I am even more grateful to call her a fellow Texan.

This legislation will answer the questions of those who are complaining about the supply chain because $45 billion will improve our Nation's supply chain and strengthen our economy and national security by preventing shortages of critical goods.

There is an outcry of inflation. There is an outcry of empty shelves, but I will tell you that the immediate signing of this bill will turn the corner for all Americans. I am grateful that we will be advancing the American scientific research technology and innovation.

Just the other day I was at the Ion Center sponsored by Rice, and looking at a number of technology companies in my 18th Congressional District. I was glad to talk to a former truck driver who was there in a program that dealt with training at-risk persons or persons who were changing careers. He was saying he could not do trucking anymore, but how glad he was to do this.

I am also very glad that legislation that I had is in this bill regarding STEM and also K-12 students by creating State and regional workshops to create jobs. This is a bill that will continue to create jobs and working with the National Science Foundation to ensure the diversity in STEM.

I will continue to work on these issues and create jobs. The COMPETES Act creates jobs.

Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House and the Committee on Homeland Security, and as Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I rise in strong support of Rules Committee Print 117-31 and H.R. 4521, the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength or ``America COMPETES) Act of 2022,'' as well as the underlying legislation.

I particularly wish to thank my colleague from Texas, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, the Chair of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, for her extraordinary leadership and the progress and success made possible by her steadfast commitment to fairness and equality.

For 15 terms the constituents of her congressional district have been ably represented by one of this body's great legislators, who will be missed deeply when she leaves this body at the end of the current Congress.

Madam Speaker, the America COMPETES Act of 2022 is a bold legislative package that makes transformational new investments in research, innovation and American manufacturing that will ensure that America can outcompete any nation in the world, now and for decades to come.

The package will accelerate production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen the supply chain to make more goods in America, turbocharge our research capacity to lead the technologies of the future, and advance our global competitiveness, while supporting strong labor standards and human rights, among other key provisions.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 is a bold, comprehensive package to strengthen America's competitiveness, which includes the ``Creating the CHIPS for America Fund,'' providing $52 billion to incentivize private- sector investments and continue American leadership in semiconductor fabrication, helping address supply chain disruptions and ensure that more semiconductors are produced here at home.

The legislation strengthening the supply chain and American manufacturing by authorizing $45 billion to improve our nation's supply chains and strengthen our economy and national security by preventing shortages of critical goods and ensuring that more of these goods are made right here in the United States.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 advances American scientific research, technology, and innovation excellence by making major new solutions-driven investments in every aspect of innovation and scientific research, making the kind of investments that will lead to breakthrough discoveries.

I am particularly pleased that the America COMPETES Act will help maintain and secure America's global competitiveness and leadership through economic development diplomacy, human rights, and partnering with allies by including numerous provisions to strengthen and promote America's leadership around the globe, including in such areas as investing in partnerships and alliances, investing in standing up for America's values, expanding our investments in diplomacy, and promoting human rights.

Madam Speaker, the United States has long been a beacon of excellence in science and technology in the world.

I have worked hard on the COMPETES Act over time to make sure that this legislation includes provisions that stimulates government reinvestment in the private sector; and reimagination of the Federal government's approach to innovation that ignites and excites new ideas that ensure that the United States remains the leader in innovation globally.

I am very pleased that the legislation before us retains provisions I sponsored that were included when the America COMPETES Act was previously passed.

One of those provisions, which is incorporated in RCP 117-31 addresses the STEM education gap for K-12 students by creating State and regional workshops to train K-12 teachers in project-based science and technology learning, allowing them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM competition team development programs.

Another provision included in the legislation requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of ``Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics'' (STEM) industry internship program recipients.

Facilitating links between institutes of higher education and the private sector is vital to ensuring that education enables a skilled and relevant workforce.

Such links are especially important for minorities and under-served communities because these students often lack alternative avenues to connect their education with an industry.

Internship experience is an increasingly vital component of a successful resume, yet the unpaid nature of internships is cost- prohibitive for many people.

Mandating that the National Science Foundation report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of STEM program recipients will help ensure that minorities and economically disadvantaged students have adequate access to internships that bridge STEM academia and industry.

I am hopeful this data will provide evidence of robust participation by minority and economically disadvantaged students; however, if such students are not fully participating, these reporting requirements will provide Congress with the data it needs to facilitate broader participation.

Now is the time to recommit to boldly and strategically investing in our nation's future--to promote America's economic strength, the well- being of our communities, our national security and our leadership in the world. This transformative legislation will ensure that America can out-compete any nation, for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and urge all Members to join me in voting for the rule governing debate of RCP 117- 31, the America COMPETES Act of 2022.